My Creative Outlet

This month’s class featured techniques that start with “B”. I had done the two different Baby Wipe techniques before but I discovered the Black Magic technique, thought it was pretty cool, and decided to throw that one in too. Then, I saw the bows made with our Designer Series Paper and, since they are easy to make, added that one too. It was a lot of stuff to do but I thought it was fun. I think everyone else did too.

Bow made with Designer Series Paper
(click here for detailed instructions and supply list)

Next month, there is a scheduling conflict so we will meet on the first Saturday, December 4th. One of the women in the class has been asking me for years to teach her how to stamp on candles so that will be one of our techniques in December.

We had our first ABC’s of Rubberstamping Techniques last Saturday. Our technique was using Acetate (Window Sheets) to create a card and a treat-filled milk carton. Click on each photo to get a larger view.

When we make a card in this class, we will actually make two cards…one to keep and one to give away. I know from my own experience, that when I make a card at my upline’s Stamp Club that I want to keep it for future reference. So, I’m hoping that, by making two cards, class attendees will actually send or give one card away and share their creativity!

A couple of months ago, I was approached by a couple of women from my church about starting a Stamping Up! class. They had been involved in Stamp Clubs in the past and wanted to continue with techniques and projects but with less pressure. I am looking forward to this class. I am calling it “The ABC’s of Rubberstamping Techniques” and we will do a different technique each month, from Acetate to Zindorf.

We will meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month, from 1-3pm, at my house. If the group gets too large, we might have to meet somewhere else but, for now, we’ll meet at my house. That said, I have knee surgery scheduled for October 8th, so the October class will be on the first Saturday, October 2nd. We will go back to the second Saturday in November.

There is a class fee of $10. There is no contract or commitment requirement and no minimum order requirement (although you will receive $5 class fee refund with order). I do ask that you let me know if you will be attending so that I can have materials prepared. Please contact me for more information and to get directions to my house.

I can’t believe that July is almost over! Summer is flying by way too fast!! Since my husband works for the school district, we are lucky to have 2 full months of summer to spend together as a family. We always have big plans (camping, yard work, house work, etc.) but before we know it, it is August and we still haven’t done any of the things on our list. We spent Memorial Day weekend in Salt Lake City for our nephew’s wedding, I spent a weeks in Oklahoma for a family reunion, we spent 4th of July weekend in New Mexico, Bill’s done a few craft shows, Jamie played baseball (Bill was his coach), Jamie has attended 2 soccer camps and a baseball camp and we spent a few days in Colorado Springs with friends. This weekend, we’ll be going back to Albuquerque for a high school reunion and then, next week, we’ll be heading back to Salt Lake City to visit family. We’ll get home from Salt Lake on August 9th and Bill starts back to work on the 11th. Then I’ll be heading to Grand Junction with my sister-in-law for our annual Cruise the Rockies event on August 12 – 15. Whew!!

So, I haven’t done much scrapping or stamping this summer. I finally made the time to go through all of my paper, ink & stamps and purge all of the items that retired with the old catalog. And I finally got all of my new stamp sets (from new catalog) mounted at our weekly Scrap & Yap tonight. Let me just say…lovin’ the Clear Mounts!!!

This is my stack of cardstock that is now retired! I was sad to see some of these colors disappear! Don’t know what I’m going to do with all of this extra paper!!

And this is the collection of my stamp sets that are no longer current! I’ll save a few of them that I’ll use for my scrapbooks but, otherwise, it looks like it’s time to have another Retired Sale! My up-line, Coleen, and I have actually been talking about doing another sale, probably in September, so check back for details!

I’ve wanted to do a ‘New Catalog’ Open House but have had trouble finding a good time to do it. Scheduling the actual event date AND also coordinating the time it takes for supplies to arrive and then prep for said event has been tricky. It looks like it won’t happen until after August 15th and, realistically, until after school actually starts on August 24th.

I’m starting a stamp club in September and probably re-starting my Mom’s Playgroup also. I really, really want to start a scrap club too but it will depend on how many people are interested.

So, like I said…I haven’t done much stamping this summer. I did make this card, though, for a technique swap this month. The technique is called Bargello, which, according to Wikipedia is a “type of needlework embroidery consisting of upright flat stitches laid in a mathematical pattern to create motifs”. The look is imitated in papercrafting with striped patterned paper. I’d seen different samples and saw that most people used this technique for borders, which are really cool, but I decided to do something totally different. I created the Bargello effect & then punched scallop circles to create ice cream scoops.

The new Idea Book & Catalog is live TODAY!! There are tons of new stamp sets & accessories and, of course, the huge change…the new Color Collections.

And, since this is the beginning of a “new” Stampin’ Up! year, I have a few resolutions…
1. Stamp more!
2. Scrapbook more!
3. do a better job of keeping in touch with my customer base
4. plan more stamping events
5. post regularly to my blog

I have been away from home for 10 days and won’t return until July 5th. I am SO missing my stamp room. The excitement of the new catalogs is making me want to get my hands inky!! I will be glad to be home with all of my stuff!!

Click the links in the sidebar to view the new Idea Book & Catalog, the new Definitely Decorative Catalog and the Summer Mini Catalog. If you have any questions about Stampin’ Up!, want to place an order or want to hold a workshop, please contact me!!

Stampin’ Up! has announced a huge product change that will occur with the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog, beginning July 1st. They are renovating their color palettes which means: retiring 30 of the current colors, rearranging the remaining 25 current colors, bringing back 10 In-Colors, and adding 5 NEW colors. Instead of 48 colors (within 4 color families) and the 7 Neutrals, there will now be 4 (with 10 colors each) Color Collections. These Collections will be: Brights, Subtles, Regals and Neutrals. Feelings are mixed within the SU! demonstrator community. I’m excited because they are bringing back Riding Hood Red, River Rock & Wild Wasabi, three of my favorite In Colors. The colors that are retiring are colors, for the most part, that I rarely use, so I won’t miss them. Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Pastels and Stampin’ Write markers will be updated to include all of the new colors, including the Neutrals. One color change is exactly just a name change…Kraft will become Crumb Cake. Kits will be available to help demonstrators AND customers update their product without having to spend a fortune. I’m so glad that I hung onto all of my In Color ink pads and card stock!!

Click on the two images below to see a larger version of the new Color Collections and the Retiring Colors.
The In Color program will also be changing. Beginning in July 2010, Stampin’ Up! will release 5 new In Colors each year and they will stick around for 2 years. So, in July 2010, there will be 5 new In Colors. In July 2011, there will be 5 new In Colors plus the 2010 In Colors, for a total of 10 In Colors. The Color Collections will be evaluated & renovated periodically (every 5 years or so) to keep current with color trends.

About Me

Disclaimer

"This is my personal blog, I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, and I am responsible for its content. Stampin' Up! Does not endorse the use of or contents of the classes, services, or non-Stampin' Up! Products I may offer here."